Council candidates prepare for Town Hall forums
Three Candidates. Two Forums. One goal.
During the next week, residents of Fort Myers Beach will have two chances to hear from three men who are running for two seats in the FMB Town Council. Larry Kiker, Alan Mandel and Joe Kosinski will appear at the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce’s Legislative Committee “Commotion by the Ocean” candidate forum on Thursday, Feb. 18, and the FMB Civic Association’s Candidates Forum on Tuesday, Feb. 23. The election is on Tuesday, March 9.
The chamber’s forum begins with a social hour from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., followed by the candidate forum at 6:30, while the civic group’s forum starts at 7 p.m. Both forums are held in council chambers at Town Hall.
Kiker, who is currently the town mayor and will soon complete his three-year term for Seat #2 on the council, has served with two different councils and several town managers.
“I have found that consistency and continuity become an integral key to getting projects started and finished,” said Kiker, who mentioned finished projects Laguna Dredging, the Matanzas Pass Dredging, and the soon-to-be Newton Park, which will open in a few weeks. “Bay Oaks is now a Town facility, and we began the North Estero Boulevard construction for the road and utilities.
“For the rest of Estero Blvd, short-term improvements and long-term are now parallel processes. We have an agreement from Lee County to begin projects that have been identified by the Town once an engineering survey is done for the road. It is due in the April/May time frame. The survey should point out opportunities to fix some water drainage issues, allow the Town to upgrade and repair the water utility system and install trolley pull-offs to ease traffic. Long-term, we will have the capacity to achieve ranking on the list for Metropolitan Planning Organization, which means funding to address Estero Boulevard.”
Regarding issues, Kiker had this to say.
“Water utility ranks very high as a major issue for this beach,” he said. “We have made some improvements such as emergency turn-off valves and the re-do of North Estero. The system we own needs to be paid for and a new one installed. We have identified possible funding from Federal and state. However, the problem is complex in lieu of any potential upgrades to Estero Boulevard. Not excluding other opportunities such as water source generation which proves to be a problem that we will experience years from now, planning has to be done now. The water utility is no longer losing money but we need to address the financial challenges for past and future endeavors.”
Kiker then addressed the Seafarer’s Mall foreclosure and beach expansion issues.
“The other opportunity has recently become apparent, the possibility of purchasing some valuable property at the foot of the bridge,” he said. “Depending on the outcome it could serve as a re-route of Estero Boulevard, provide parking and/or increase the public beach thus providing open space.
“Beach re-nourishment has been a favorite topic for almost 12 years now. The Federal project was declared defunct this last year. A new limited proposal has initial review from this council, and I would expect that negotiations will conclude in the next few months. We should re-focus our attention to the navigation requirements of the island, north and south. Beach re-nourishment could become almost a by-product of that effort. Property rights reign premier when looking at these projects.”
Mandel, who is the vice chairman of the Local Planning Agency, has served as the LPA liaison to the Town Council Management and Planning meetings. He also has chaired the Ad Hoc Water Utility and Fertilizer Ordinance committees during his five years of service to the town as well as serving as a committee member to balance the 2009 and 2010 budgets.
His experience in Michigan includes chairman of the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority; chairman of the Legislative Committee for the Michigan Retailers Association; president of the State Street (Ann Arbor ) Merchants Association; member of the Ann Arbor Chamber of Commerce; and member of the Ann Arbor Rotary. He has more than 25 years of senior management experience.
Mandel offered his reasons for running for the FMB Town Council.
“Because this is my home,” he said. “We are facing serious problems, and we need people who can solve them. My background in business and government has prepared me for this challenge.”
Mandel stressed balance during his platform talk.
“We need to balance the competing needs of the community,” he said. “and to preserve the beach and Back Bay as our most important natural resources. We need to maintain a vibrant business community, and to make sure Fort Myers Beach remains family friendly.”
Mandel’s list of important Beach issues included “balancing the budget without raising taxes; preservation of the beaches and property rights; promoting pedestrian and bike safety; and reducing traffic congestion.”
Kosinski, who could not be reached for comment before press time, told The Beach Observer last month he doesn’t have any town government experience but believes he is qualified for one of the council seats. He has lived on the Beach since 2003, and started J.C. Kosinski Engineering in 2000.
“I have no political experience or set political agendas,” said Kosinski. “I have become well known and accepted by many of the local residents. People who know me approve of my decision to run. I do have a lot of support. My friends know me as a good honest leader who cares and listens to their opinions. I found that most people just want to be heard, and they want someone to take the time to hear what they have to say.”
Whoever is chosen for the two council seats should expect a strong workload ahead of them.
“This council has taken their task very seriously and the time requirements of meetings and preparation are sizeable,” said Kiker. “My expectation is that the workload doesn’t change with the continuing economic pressures. The next three years are important to finish projects and help ensure that future projects are planned and in process.”